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Even though I live in California the weather is anything but sunny here today. Its cold, raining, windy and the sky is a hazy blue. It's not depressing weather but it is the winter weather that comes at Christmas time. I have been reading alot of your blogs and cant imagine those single digits and all that snow. One gal had tons up to her basement door. Because im born and raised in California we have never had to deal with snow where we live. I think once in 1975 it snowed here and then way up high in the mountains it has snowed this year. I have been praying for you all that have been hit with these unusual storms and those having to travel in it. Christmas - Christmas - Christmas oh how I love Christmas! There is just something about this time of year that warms my heart. Our family has a few Christmas traditions that we do every year. Like many of you baking and cooking are some of them. My husbands Grandmother makes chocolate covered peanut butter balls and as she moved along in years she's not able to do them so for the past few years I've been making them and have added this to our families traditions, which my husband totally loves. We allow our 11 year old daughter to open one gift on Christmas Eve, its always pajamas that she can wear to bed as she gets excited about Christmas morning. Christmas Eve we have service at church and then my brother in love and his family come (they live about 2 hours away) and we all go to my in-loves for dinner and fun times. They stay the night there and we go home. On Christmas morning my husband, my daughter and I open stockings at our house and spend some time together before heading back over to my in-loves (they only live 10 minutes aways its wonderful). Usually they'll call and say "are you on your way, this kids are getting antsy waiting to open gifts (the kids = nephew#1 is 9, nephew #2 is 7, and niece #1 is 5). When we get there everyone is so excited, including the dogs! We all sit in a circle and my husband hands out gifts. We all sit and watch as each one opens one gift at a time (another tradition) there are 11 of us total this year so we'll have breakfast, gift opening, a break to fill the coffee and coco cups and back to opening presents. It takes most of the morning but its a really fun time and we chat and share. Then we all just hang out, play games and get ready for Christmas dinner. This years its prime rib, baked potato and green salad. Im in charge of desserts so im making a Cherry Dream Cake (yum!), a Cupcake Christmas Tree Cake for the kids and some of the Apple Bread and Pumpkin Spice bread I made and for sure those peanut butter balls. I'd say dessert is covered LOL. The 26th is my brother in loves birthday so we all go to the mall. Yes, can you believe it, after Christmas shopping etc we all go to the mall!! They really have great sales the day after Christmas. We actually got one of the gifts that we're giving to my daughter this year from last years sale. We've had it hidden all year. This year I also made my daughter one of those fleece tie blankets and bought her this little sewing basket that comes with all she needs to learn to start sewing. Needles, tape measure, scissors, pins etc. Its "sew" cute, her very first sewing basket. Now she can sit with me and sew. I just love those little gifts that are between mother and daughter. She has been a little sneaky herself these days. She'll run from her room to the Christmas tree snickering and then back to her room and then I'll see a gift she's put under the tree. Now, mind you, I havent given her any wrapping paper, gifts etc. She is making everything herself and making her own wrapping paper so I cant wait to see what she's making for us all. Whatever it is will be special because she is making it from her heart and from a heart of joy and giving. I LOVE that she has that spirit of "joyful giving" about her. The whole meaning of Christmas is found in the first 6 letters of Christmas "Christ". I pray that you all have a blessed Christmas and that you really, really enjoy the time spent with family and remembering Christ and love for us. Christmas Blessings on you and your families~ |
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